Wind in the US' sails

Offshore wind is taking off in America, offering growth opportunities for the usual renewable operators and a potential entry point for offshore oil specialists

Wind turbines jutting out of the sea are now a common sight from Europe's shores, where scores of projects have popped up over the past decade. But the technology has been much slower to take root in the US. That is starting to change. In December last year, the nation's first offshore wind project, Deepwater Wind's landmark 30 megawatt Block Island system off Rhode Island, started spinning its turbines and sending enough power to shore to supply around 17,000 households. Many more offshore wind projects are in the pipeline, creating the potential for a multi-billion-dollar bonanza. In total, 28 projects totaling more than 24 gigawatts of generating capacity have been put forward, and of tho